Detroit–Warren–Dearborn ranks No. 1 on the Fall 2025 Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com Luxury Housing Market Ranking. The 90th-percentile luxury entry point here is $721,625 versus $1,243,506 nationally, with million-dollar homes moving in a median 57 days. That mix of accessible pricing and real demand elevates Detroit over traditional luxury hubs.
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Detroit Luxury Real Estate: The 5 Priciest Neighborhoods for High-End Homes
Why this matters right now
As of October 27, 2025, Detroit has officially taken the top luxury spot, ahead of St. Louis, Charlottesville, Santa Fe, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, San Diego, Hilton Head, Portland ME, and Santa Barbara. The data confirms what locals have felt for years: buyers can get more house, more neighborhood, and more life for their money across Metro Detroit.
What the ranking says about Detroit’s luxury market
Detroit leads the list. The latest WSJ/Realtor.com analysis places Detroit–Warren–Dearborn at No. 1 among 60 scored luxury markets, based on demand, supply, pricing trends, taxes, climate risk, jobs, wages, amenities, commute, and more. Real estate indicators account for 60 percent of the score, economic and quality-of-life indicators for 40 percent.
Entry to luxury is meaningfully lower here.
- 90th-percentile listing price: $721,625 in Detroit vs $1,243,506 nationally
- 95th percentile: just under $1M in Detroit vs $1.95M nationally
- 99th percentile: about $2.84M in Detroit vs $5.41M nationally
- Median days on market for $1M+ listings: 57 locally vs 78 nationally
These thresholds are the backbone of Detroit’s “accessible luxury” value proposition.
Top-10 snapshot (90th-percentile price):
- Detroit–Warren–Dearborn MI — $721,625
- St. Louis MO-IL — $662,863
- Charlottesville VA — $954,866
- Santa Fe NM — $2,786,250
- Salt Lake City UT — $1,231,940
- Minneapolis–St. Paul MN-WI — $999,767
- San Diego–Carlsbad CA — $2,880,567
- Hilton Head–Bluffton–Beaufort SC — $1,799,000
- Portland–South Portland ME — $1,775,000
- Santa Maria–Santa Barbara CA — $8,950,000.
Who is shopping. Roughly half of luxury searchers are local. The rest primarily come from Indianapolis, Washington DC, and New York City, drawn by career clusters in autos, technology, health care, and logistics.
Independent confirmation. Local and national coverage reiterates the same thresholds and speed to sale, citing the 57-day median and Detroit’s mix of attainable price and strong demand.
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Where luxury concentrates across Metro Detroit
Established high-end ZIPs anchor the top tier.
- Birmingham 48009: median listing price around $1,478,125
- Bloomfield area 48301: around $1,107,500
- Rochester Hills 48306: around $1,019,900
These areas offer a range from classic estates to modern new builds, with quick access to Woodward, I-75, top schools, and village-style downtowns.
City and suburbs both matter. The ranking covers the full region, not just city limits. Detroit neighborhoods with architecturally significant homes pair with prestige suburbs like Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Grosse Pointe, and Rochester to form a broader luxury ecosystem.
What “accessible luxury” looks like here
$750K–$1M: Entry luxury
Expect renovated Tudors in Grosse Pointe Park near Kercheval, mid-century gems around Bloomfield Village, and newer builds in Rochester Hills with modern kitchens, home offices, and outdoor living spaces. These often trade quickly due to the price-to-amenity ratio compared with coastal metros.
$1M–$2M: Core luxury
In Birmingham and Bloomfield, buyers see walk-to-downtown convenience, elevated finishes, and strong school draws. In Detroit, historic homes in neighborhoods like Palmer Woods or Indian Village deliver space and character that would cost multiples in other top markets.
$2.8M+: Ultra-luxury
Top-end estates in Bloomfield Hills lake corridors or gated enclaves, custom builds in Oakland Township, and rare penthouse opportunities downtown define the 99th-percentile tier, still roughly half the national benchmark.
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Why Detroit rose to No. 1
The value story
Detroit pairs attainable pricing with real demand, which reduces listing times at the high end. It is a market where buyers can access premier homes and neighborhoods at prices far below coastal peers.
The reinvention effect
Targeted reinvestment and design-forward development continue to reshape the city’s image, from Michigan Central to new mixed-use anchors downtown. That momentum supports confidence for luxury buyers who want culture, architecture, and community as much as square footage.
Practical guidance for buyers and sellers
For buyers
- Get prepped early. Inventory at desirable price points moves fast. Line up financing and proof of funds before touring.
- Shop by lifestyle corridor. Woodward, Maple, and Quarton corridors cover much of Birmingham–Bloomfield living; Kercheval and Lake Shore define Grosse Pointe convenience.
- Use tier benchmarks. Compare a $1.1M option here to national comps. Detroit’s 95th percentile sits under $1M, which changes what “luxury” buys you locally.
Helpful next step: Browse current listings and save searches on The Perna Team Home Search. https://www.thepernateam.com/
For sellers
- Price to the percentile. Align your list price with current 90th, 95th, or 99th-percentile thresholds to capture the right buyer pool.
- Lead with lifestyle. Highlight walkability, school zones, lake access, club proximity, and commute routes.
- Plan the calendar. As the holidays approach, serious buyers stay active for year-end moves. Smart pricing and polished presentation can shorten market time.
Helpful next step: Get a data-driven home valuation and strategy consult. https://www.thepernateam.com/home-valuation.php
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Neighborhood spotlights to watch
Birmingham 48009
Tree-lined streets, walkable downtown, boutique retail, and a steady stream of design-forward rebuilds keep demand high. Typical prices clear $1M, with prestige blocks near Quarton Lake and Linden Park.
Bloomfield area 48301
Large lots, lake access, and proximity to top schools create a classic luxury profile. Custom renovations and tasteful expansions are common.
Rochester Hills 48306
Executive homes, new-construction pockets, and trail-to-park access close to the I-75 corridor appeal to move-up buyers and dual-commute households.
Grosse Pointe communities
Grand lakeshore architecture and village centers draw buyers who want historic charm with easy downtown access along Jefferson and the waterfront.
Considering a move? Read client stories before you decide: https://www.thepernateam.com/testimonials.php
People Also Ask
Why is Detroit the No. 1 luxury real estate market right now?
Because it blends strong buyer demand with accessible pricing and balanced fundamentals, so high-end homes move faster than in many peers.
What counts as a luxury home in Metro Detroit?
For this ranking, “luxury” starts at the 90th percentile, which is currently about $721,625 in the Detroit metro.
How fast do million-dollar homes sell here?
The median time on market is about 57 days, quicker than the national 78-day figure.
Which suburbs dominate the top tier?
Birmingham 48009, Bloomfield area 48301, and Rochester Hills 48306 each post typical prices above $1M.
Are out-of-state buyers active in Detroit luxury?
Yes. Alongside local shoppers, strong interest comes from Indianapolis, Washington DC, and New York City.
Is Detroit luxury only in the suburbs?
No. Historic city neighborhoods such as Palmer Woods and Indian Village deliver significant architecture and lot size, often at better values than coastal metros.
What does $1.5M buy in Metro Detroit?
Often a renovated or newly built home in Birmingham or Bloomfield with outdoor living, premium kitchens, and walkability that rivals bigger-ticket markets.
How does Detroit compare with coastal luxury markets?
Detroit’s 99th percentile starts around $2.84M, roughly half the national benchmark, while coastal peers frequently start above $5M.
Is the momentum tied to wider city revival?
Yes. High-profile redevelopment and design-centric projects strengthen confidence and lifestyle appeal.
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Where can I see current listings and verified reviews?
Explore homes on the search portal and read client testimonials on The Perna Team site.
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